The junk food everyone was obsessed with the year you were born

The Just Born candy company launched in 1923, but started making Mike and Ikes in 1940 due to the growing demand for gummy fruit-flavored candies. The original flavors were cherry, orange, lemon, and lime. When the company that made Mike and Ikes acquired another candy company in 1953, they were able to expand their flavor offerings.

Black licorice-flavored gum drops became popular in 1890 in the form of Black Crows. Then DOTS introduced a fruit-flavored version of the drops in 1945, following the trend of fruity gummies.

DOTS now produces four billion gumdrops every year and claims the title of America's bestselling gumdrop brand.

Forrest Mars Sr. patented the manufacturing process of coating chocolate with a heat-resistant shell in 1941.

"M&M's were a military hit as the tube they were packaged in (they were originally sold in cardboard tubes) fit perfectly into military issue cargo pockets," confectionery expert Beth Kimmerle told Insider. "More importantly, the chocolate didn't melt due to its candy shell. The bright colors of the sugar exterior made a simple candy into whimsical chocolate cheer from home."

Since candy had been part of rations during World War II, there was an increased demand for candy after the war. Peter Paul Inc. utilized radio ads to boost Almond Joy sales with a catchy tune that described them as "indescribably delicious."

Hershey acquired Almond Joy candy bars in 1988.

Food scientists developed this spreadable cheese product with a long shelf life in 1953.

Herr's started adding seasoning to their potato chips in 1958. Their original barbecue flavor was so popular that they still make the same recipe today.

Celebrity chef Julia Child even served them with cocktails at her Thanksgiving dinners.

What began as a doughnut and coffee restaurant called Open Kettle in 1948 was renamed Dunkin' Donuts in 1950 by founder William Rosenberg. The 100th chain of the store opened in 1963, cementing it as a nationwide favorite.

"By the 1960s, Dum-Dums became the obligatory treat in every bank, barber shop, and doctor's office in America," confectionery expert Beth Kimmerle previously told Insider. "While they were originally seven simple flavors, the company introduced a mystery flavor that would become the 'Where's Waldo?' of candy and perplexed children and adults alike."

Starburst chews were invented in the UK in 1960, but they were called "Opal Fruits." With a name change to "Starburst" when they came to the US in 1967, they were a hit here too. The four original flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime.

The Big Mac was invented by Jim Delligatti and became a recognizable icon worldwide.

Formulating a dough that would fry well and result in uniform chips that didn't crumble wasn't easy. After some trial and error in the 1950s, Procter & Gamble introduced Pringles to the US in 1971 after a long-awaited successful market test. Their stackable shape and portable can were novelties that people couldn't get enough of.

When Doritos first hit the market in 1966, they were just plain chips, according to Consumer Reports. The company added a taco flavor in 1968, but really struck gold with what is now considered the "original" flavor of nacho cheese in 1974.

They were one of the most popular candies of the '70s, according to Bon Appetit, and soon adorned the hands of kids (and adults) all over the world.

He was frequently seen enjoying them on the campaign trail and had three and a half tons of red, white, and blue beans shipped to Washington, DC, for his inauguration in 1981.

In the 1982 movie "E.T.," Elliot used Reese's Pieces to coax the lovable alien out of hiding after Hershey's agreed to a product placement deal.

The candies were originally shaped like aliens, but were changed to be shaped like kids in response to the Cabbage Patch Kids fever of the '80s.

The '80s were all about convenience and eye-catching packaging.

The recipe for Chex Mix was printed on boxes of Chex cereal, owned by Ralston Purina, starting in 1953. The company then introduced packaged Chex Mix in 1987. A branding deal with the beloved "Peanuts" comic strip helped establish Chex Mix's iconic status.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founded the first Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, and went on to become an iconic brand across the US. They were named US Small Business Persons of the Year by Ronald Reagan in 1988, and were invited to the White House to accept their awards.

Dunkaroos were the snack to have in the '90s. They hit shelves in 1990 and were discontinued in 2002 to the dismay of many who still reminisce about how much they miss them (though they're still available in Canada).

Introduced in 1991, Fruit By The Foot was valuable currency in school cafeterias' lunch trading markets. The 3-foot, long-lasting snack is 48% sugar, according to The Daily Meal.

Snackwell's products were so popular that they overtook Ritz Crackers and Oreo Cookies to become the top snack in the US, according to Information Resources International via The New York Times.

Oreo O's had a quick run on grocery store shelves, from 1998 to 2007, because Post split from Kraft Foods Group. But the thrill of having Oreos for breakfast left a lasting impact, and the cult favorite is now back in stores.

As filling, portable snacks that are easy to prepare, they became widespread. Gene Grabowski, a vice president at the Grocery Manufacturers of America, told The Wall Street Journal in 2002 that "Hot Pocket hits the biggest trend in food right now — food you can prepare and eat with one hand."

The snacks lived up to the candy's slogan in the books: "A risk with every mouthful!" The fourth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," came out the same year, and production on the first movie had begun, contributing to the hype.

The chips began as a treat for people waiting in long lines for the original Stacy's sandwich cart in Boston and became immensely popular on their own.

Medora Snacks, which produces Popcorners, was founded in 2008.

Snickers sales totaled $3.6 billion.

Ansel trademarked the word "cronut" that same year.

Trail mix showing "exceptional growth" in sales, according to Food Business News.

• Read more:
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